Erie Attorney Sentenced to 21 Months in Jail for Scheme to Defraud Clients
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 08, 2010 |
Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, March 8, 2010, that J. Gregory Moore, a resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court in Erie to 21 months in jail on his conviction for mail fraud. Moore is also required to pay restitution of $178,500.
Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr. imposed the sentence on Moore, age 62.
According to information presented to the court by Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold, Moore engaged in a scheme and artifice to defraud numerous clients out of estate funds entrusted to Attorney Moore. Moore used the stolen funds on a variety of personal and business expenses. He also made numerous charitable contributions using the stolen funds.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Cohill noted that attorneys have a duty to safeguard their clients’ interests at all times. Judge Cohill also noted the serious financial impact on the victim estates.
Mr. Cessar commended the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Moore.